Gathering Entries In A New Writer's Notebook


UPDATED January 2021

The first entry in a new writer's notebook is most important…

It sets a tone and can be viewed at a statement of intent. It might aim to say this notebook is my special place to gather special thoughts and ideas. 

This opening entry might be in the form of a letter to one’s self about what you intend to do as a writer in the days and weeks ahead. John, a fifth grade writer wrote the following poem as his initial entry.

It’s a Place

Why am I keeping this notebook?                                                                                                                          

Because it’s a place where I can keep track of my life                                                                                                                                                    
It’s a place where I can observe closely and where I can store little pieces of strength                                                                                                                
It’s a place where I can keep the elements of my life                                                                                

(Lightning, fire, ice, time and space)                                                                                                                      

And Writing (poetry, words, stories)                                                                

It’s a place where tales weave                                                                                                                                                      
All in all                                                                                                                                                                                                   
It’s a place for ME.


The first notebook entry might be prompted by an artifact, or a significant piece of ephemera. 

Remember, you set the tone and the expectation with the very first notebook entry.

 I recall starting one of my notebooks by pasting in a collection of business cards I had gathered. Each one had a story attached to it. It was essentially a topic list to launch further writing ideas. 

You could ask each student to collect a piece of ephemera, or a photograph to be on page one of their notebook and write from this place.  

This notebook began with an observation on life.

This notebook began with a poem.

This notebook began with a quote.

Other possible starting points :
  • The story behind their first name or family name (significance, history).
  • Lists. They can provide the launching pad for a series of writing ideas.
  • Inform your notebook about your plans for it and how you hope it will support you to be a better writer.
  • Questions and wonderings.
  • A story you are itching to tell
  • Words from a writer you admire.
  • Words you wish you had written.
  • A summer observation.
  • A news article might spark your thinking.
  • An opinion piece can set a strong tone.
  • An event worth remembering forever.
  • Treasure Trove. Collect magazine pictures, words, headlines and have students select, connect, talk and write about one of the items they consider to be treasure.
  • Lift a line from a text and use that line to launch a notebook entry. The line can be used anywhere within the writing piece, -beginning, middle, end.
  • Another way to begin your writer’s notebook might be with a statement of intent:
In one notebook I started with these words:

‘My writer’s notebook will be filled with my thinking. Really filled. I want my notebook to be brimming with collected thoughts and ideas. I will share my thinking in words and sometimes in sketches. I will share what is important to me, what I notice, what I hope for, what I hear, what I read and what I learn. All these things I will gather in my notebook. This is the place all my writing will begin, -stories, poems, reports and opinions. I will collect poems, stories, quotes, extracts and favourite words and phrases. I will post in photographs and pieces of ephemera to act as memory markers. I will fill my notebook with all those things that inspire me to write. Maps, drawing, words and images all together in this very special notebook. A notebook containing the treasure I never want to forget.’



There are many ways to begin. Writers make decisions. Invite your students to discuss possible starting points and encourage them to choose a way that suits each individual writer.

*-Exposure to a range of possibilities will ensure every writer successfully leaves the launch pad in their own exciting way. 

Comments

  1. Erika Victor31 January 2021 at 14:40

    I love all of these ideas and the examples you shared! I start each notebook with a letter to the notebook, reflecting on the goals i have for that notebook, but your ideas are encouraging me to mix it up a bit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright31 January 2021 at 15:09

      Thank you for your response Erika. Variety keeps it fresh and alive. I like the buzz of possibilities. I now recall starting one notebook with a page full of original similes....

      Delete

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